Our View: Clean campaign meant for everyone

You weren't singled out on purpose - but you're also not above the law.

When you own property that needs to be cleaned up, Ouachita Parish Code Enforcement is going to ask you to do that and give you a deadline in which to do it. If you don't respond, you'll be fined and go to court.

We often have commended Ouachita Parish Police Juror Pat Moore for her dogged pursuit of a cleaner Monroe. And we continue that praise.

According to Code Enforcement director Wayne Heckford, Ludley received a citation to clean up his property after Moore received a complaint of inappropriate dumping.

Ludley denies that the "yellow sheet of paper" he received from the deputy on the scene was a citation. Instead, he says it's a notification that he has to remove trash from the area within 60-90 days. He said the trash referred to by the enforcement officer has been on the property for a long time.

Moore, who has been an advocate for cleaning the area that she represents, said she received a call reporting the infraction and called the code enforcement officer before going to the scene.

"I had no idea who it was, all I knew is that someone told me a landlord was out there dumping," she said. "I will admit I was shocked when I got there to see who it was."

Moore said this is all part of a continuing and increasing effort to clean up southern Ouachita Parish. Among ideas being considered are identifying who the trash belongs to and releasing their names publicly.

"Regardless of who it is, we are asking those concerned about our community to please stop the illegal dumping," Moore said. "We don't care who it is, just stop it."

Heckford said after a citation is issued, if cleanup is not accomplished within a specified period of time, there is a mandatory court appearance and possible fine.

We're confident Ludley will comply with the time frame of the citation and no further action will be needed.

Moore and Heckford have worked hard to raise public awareness of the economic necessity for a cleaner Ouachita Parish. Their pursuit of this goal is worth applauding.